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Microsoft Security

Decentralized identity

Discover the open standards-based solution for verified digital identity that gives people more control and convenience.

 

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Reimagine secure access with Microsoft Entra

Discover the latest identity and access innovations and how to strengthen your defenses with Microsoft Entra.

Why decentralized identity matters

Everyone has a right to own their digital identity. Decentralized identities help protect privacy and keep personal data more secure.

For individuals

Own and control your digital identity for more privacy and peace of mind.

For organizations

Limit risk, make audits easier, and check credentials with a click for faster remote hiring.

For developers

Create user-centric, serverless apps that store data with people, not a corporation.

What is decentralized identity?

A decentralized identity approach helps people, organizations, and things interact with each other transparently and securely, in an identity trust fabric. People control their own digital identity and credentials.

Discover the future of identity

Together with the open standards community, customers, and partners, Microsoft is helping create a decentralized identity system designed for security, privacy, and inclusivity.

 

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Microsoft Entra Verified ID

Securely issue and verify credentials and attributes with our industry-leading platform for decentralized identity.

Essential Reading

A visual explaining decentralized identity with text that reads Digitally present & authenticate a set of verifiable credentials. Just like a physical card. It shows you can revoke access with a single click on your mobile phone.

Decentralized identity explained

Explore decentralized identity and how it can quickly and easily verify who you are.

Get involved in the community

Join the Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF) to help develop standards and open-source components for the digital ID system.

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What’s the future of digital identity?

Learn the difference between digitizing and decentralizing your personal info—and why it’s such an important distinction.

"By allowing the individuals true ownership of their digital identity, Decentralized Identity architectures abate the privacy concerns for individuals and security challenges for enterprises."

 

Gartner® Emerging Technologies: Critical Insights on Decentralized Identity, November 9, 2021¹

Additional resources

Decentralized identity 101

Explore why we need decentralized identity and how Microsoft is leading with open standards.

Get the technical background

Learn about the open-source Identity Overlay Network and how to create decentralized IDs with it.

Watch a demo: Azure Friday

See how to enable decentralized identity through seamless user and developer experiences.

Start creating solutions

Microsoft’s verifiable credentials platform includes APIs and guidance for developers.

Frequently asked questions

  • Decentralized identity, also referred to as self-sovereign identity, is an open-standards based identity framework that uses digital identifiers and verifiable credentials that are self-owned, independent, and enable trusted data exchange. It aims to protect privacy and secure online interactions using blockchains, distributed ledger technology, and private/public key cryptography.

  • In the decentralized identity approach, verifiable credentials are identity claims, or attestations, like proof of a workplace or student ID, official memberships, or other information from any trusted issuer. People access and control their verifiable credentials using a secure, encrypted digital wallet stored locally on a smart device.

  • Any business or organization can issue verifiable credentials, as well as revoke them or change status when they expire. The early adopters of verifiable credentials for enhanced security, streamlined workflows, and reduced risk are organizations like a government, institution, licensing agency, workplace, or bank, on behalf of their citizens, employees, students, or customers.

  • A digital ID, or digital identity, is a digitized version of your personal information, such as a digital version of driver’s license data or vaccine card that is stored on your phone. Organizations, apps, and services may need to verify your digital identity details for a variety of reasons, such as employee onboarding, secure access to resources, or transactions requiring identity proofing or age verification.

Get started

Accelerate your decentralized identity approach with an easy-to-use global service, Microsoft Entra Verified ID now in Public Preview.

[1] GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

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